The contents of the royal handbag have fascinated generations of Britons and even prompted a book about what the Queen keeps in hers.

What's in there? Nicheala's asks the question all of us are thinking [David Hartley]

The Countess of Wessex reveals a royal always carries lippy [David Hartley]

But the Countess of Wessex was happy to empty out her red baguette clutch and show off the contents to five-year-old Nicheala Harris at Dorchester Abbey in Oxfordshire.

Sophie, 49, met Nicheala during a visit to children’s charity Parents And Children Together (PACT), which helps families through adoption, fostering and community projects.

She was watching children taking part in play therapy when the little girl asked about the bag and the Countess promptly took out a succession of things, including a handkerchief, Trish McEvoy moisturising cream and lipstick.

The royal also reveals she is a fan of Trish McEvoy luxe moisture balm, SPF 15 [David Hartley]

At the abbey, the royal visitor unveiled a plaque and buried a time capsule containing items collected from a number of PACT projects.

Jan Fishwick, the charity’s chief executive, said: “PACT began in 1911 when the then Bishop of Oxford wanted to help unmarried mothers make a better life for their children. Today PACT looks very different but our core aim to build and strengthen families still remains.

”The time capsule will serve as a record of our work so far and a celebration of all we have achieved.”

The secrets of the Queen's handbag were once the source of a book [Getty]